REPORT: US, Iran Reach ‘In Principle Agreement’ To Extend Ceasefire

Mediators say the U.S. and Iran are edging toward an extension of their fragile ceasefire, with regional officials telling The Associated Press there is an “in principle agreement” to keep the truce alive while negotiators try to hammer out a longer-term deal.
The talks come as President Donald Trump’s naval blockade of Iranian ports tightens the screws on Tehran, and as Iranian commanders fire off new threats that could rattle global trade routes.

A senior U.S. official cautioned Wednesday that Washington has not formally agreed to extend the ceasefire, even as “engagement” with Iran continues. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations.
Iran, meanwhile, is warning it could escalate beyond the battlefield if the blockade stays in place.
The commander of Iran’s joint military command warned that Iran would completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea if the U.S. military does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports.

“Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests,” Ali Abdollahi said.
The ceasefire, announced about a week ago, is set to expire next week. Before the two-week truce runs out on April 22, mediators are pushing both sides to compromise on three key sticking points that torpedoed direct talks last weekend: Iran’s nuclear program, access and security in the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Iran has signaled it wants room to keep enriching uranium. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but his country “based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment,” Iranian state media reported.

Over 72,000 Gazans killed in Israeli attacks since October 2023 — Gaza Health Ministry
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Since the ceasefire announcement on October 11, 2025, at least 765 people have been killed and 2,140 injured

AP footage shows the current conditions in which Gazans are living today pic.twitter.com/MMOVimI5xl

— RT (@RT_com) April 15, 2026

The latest diplomatic flurry is unfolding against the backdrop of a war that has left the region bloodied and the world economy on edge. The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.

Markets reacted to the hint of progress. Oil prices dipped on hopes the fighting could cool, and U.S. stocks surged close to records set in January. But the truce remains thin, and officials on all sides are treating it like a live wire.
Trump has been publicly pushing the message that Tehran is ready to bend. “I think they want to make a deal very badly,” Trump said in an excerpt from an interview with Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” scheduled to air Wednesday morning. He added: “I view it as very close to over.”

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Pakistan, which has been involved in mediation efforts, says it is still pressing for a deal. Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistan’s finance minister, told the AP that “our leadership is not giving up” on efforts to help the U.S. and Iran end the conflict.
Trump has also claimed he has boxed Iran in by leaning on Beijing. Trump wrote in a social media post that China is “very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz.” He added: “They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran.” He appeared to link the two issues, even as U.S. officials have warned for years that China has supported Iran’s missile program with dual-use components.

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On the military front, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that no ships made it past the blockade in the first 24 hours, while six merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and reenter Iranian waters.

The blockade is designed to squeeze Iran’s oil exports, a crucial lifeline since the war began Feb. 28. Much of Iran’s trade has relied on dark transits meant to evade sanctions and oversight.

Even with ceasefire talks grinding forward, the wider region remains combustible. Israel continued its air and ground war in Lebanon, with Lebanon’s National News Agency reporting airstrikes and artillery shelling across southern areas Wednesday, including near Bint Jbeil, where Israeli forces have encircled Hezbollah fighters.

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